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BC Parks changes camping reservations for 2017 season

BC Parks are changing their reservation system for the 2017 season, with an aim to improve fair access for everyone looking to book a campsite.

In a statement the province said that beginning in 2017, the mid-March “opening day” for reservations will be eliminated and the three-month rolling reservation window will be extended. Reservations for next year can be made four months in advance of a campground’s first ‘reservable date’.

Other changes include new measures to prevent the reselling of reservations, restrictions around altering arrival dates to prevent ‘overbooking’, and a pilot project in select parks to reduce the maximum length of stay to seven days during peak season.

Minister of the Environment Mary Polak says “We want to make sure the campsite reservation service is doing its job as effectively and efficiently as possible. We know British Columbians want a reservation system that is fair, and that they have just as good a chance of securing a campsite as the next person. The changes we’re bringing in for 2017 address policies that are prone to abuse by a small number of people and contribute to positive camping experiences in our beautiful BC Parks.”

The province says that reservations through Discover Camping – BC Park’s online portal have risen 91% in the last five years. Approximately 45% of campsites remain on a first come first serve basis.